Trees or shrubs, rarely climbers. Leaves exstipulate, opposite (alternate in some species of Jasminum), simple or compound. Inflorescence basically cymose, paniculate or decussate, often with bracts. Flowers bisexual, rarely unisexual. Calyx tubular or campanulate, often very short, (lacking in some species of Fraxinus) truncate or 4(-5-9) lobed. Corolla lacking (in some species of Fraxinus) or tubular, funnel or salver-shaped, lobes 4(-5-10). Anthers 2, epipetalous, usually transversely placed and alternating with the carpels. Gynoecium superior, of 2 united carpels; ovary 2-locular, with 2 anatropous ovules in each locule. Style 1, stigma 2-lobed. Fruit a samara, a capsule, a drupe, or a berry, containing 1-4 seeds.

A family of about 29 genera and 600 species, distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of the world, especially tropical and temperate Asia. Represented in Pakistan by 8 genera and about 30 species, of which about 22 species are cultivated.

Acknowledgements: We are grateful to the United States Department of Agriculture for financing this research under P.L. 480 we are thankful to Mr. P.S. Green, Asstt. Keeper, The Herbarium Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, for going through the manuscript and giving valuable suggestions. Our thanks are also due to the Keeper of the Kew Herbarium and the Director, Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna, for herbarium and library facilities.